If the facility is required to be "sprinklered throughout" as a Code requirement, the AHJ would have to approve the removal of a sprinkler system and substitution of a gaseous system. There's nothing in NFPA that gives unconditional permission to just change things. Plus functionality of the systems are completely different so it's hard to compare the two and say that gas is an equal substitute to automatic sprinklers.
In A.21.26.1.1 dealing with Cleanrooms, NFPA 13 states, "Gaseous fire suppression systems are not substitutes for automatic sprinkler protection. The large number of air changes in cleanrooms can cause dilution or stratification of the gaseous agent." That's about all the verbiage you'll get in 13 concerning the gas systems. Unless there's some real serious concerns over sprinklers you might suggest going preaction instead of gas. Craig L. Prahl, CET Fire Protection Specialist Mechanical Department CH2MHILL Lockwood Greene 1500 International Drive PO Box 491, Spartanburg, SC 29304-0491 Direct - 864.599.4102 Fax - 864.599.8439 [email protected] http://www.ch2m.com -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, February 09, 2010 1:35 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Gas systems replacing sprinklers Does anyone know if NFPA specifically states that a gas fire suppression system can replace a fire sprinkler in a room, or rooms? I scanned and searched and the only section it addresses that issue is in marine systems 25.1.5, partial systems. Section 1.5 possibly covers it but convincing a fire marshall of that could be a bit tough. Thanks. Aaron Johnson Northwest Consulting, Inc. _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[email protected] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[email protected] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field)
